Abu Dhabi and Dubai Blog

This is a question more people are asking, given the turbulence in world financial markets this past week. The BBC provided this interesting analysis:

Although frequently described as a city state or even as a country in its own right, Dubai is a constituent member of the federation of United Arab Emirates along with six other emirates.

Only one of these, Abu Dhabi, possesses substantial oil reserves, and as such it has dominated most areas of federal politics – including foreign affairs and defence – since the UAE was formed following Britain’s withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in 1971.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8382275.stm

Former French intelligence officer Herve Jaubert believed he was essentially being held captive in Dubai when his passport was confiscated by authorities amid a dispute with his employer, a powerful government-run conglomerate. He claimed he was threatened with torture and worried each day he would be arrested.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jE1-VH9PrgVg27sL1tDZ8UFjifQgD9C5R0080

Interview with Dubai Metro boss:

Contrary to expectations, the average number of passengers using the Dubai Metro has gradually been increasing since its launch on September 9, thanks to some quick measures taken to improve various services at the Metro stations, a senior official has said.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/dubai-s-commuters-getting-used-to-the-metro-1.522049